Senior Strategic Engagement Advisor, P-5

UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Senior Strategic Engagement Advisor reports to the Director, UNRWA Liaison Office, Geneva. The incumbent acts as the Head of the Secretariat of the Advisory Commission on UNRWA (AdCom), tasked with advising and assisting the Commissioner-General of UNRWA in carrying out the Agency’s mandate, and supports UNRWA Senior Management’s strategic engagement with the AdCom and its subsidiary entities. The incumbent also provides strategic advice to the Director of the UNRWA Liaison Office in Geneva, the Executive Office, HQ Departments and Field Offices on engagement with Permanent Missions, the UN ecosystem and the media landscape based in Geneva, on a broad range of strategic, political, policy, programmatic and operational matters.

Responsibilities

As Head of the Secretariat of the UN General Assembly Advisory Commission on UNRWA (AdCom):

Oversees substantive preparations for the meetings of the AdCom, including its sub-committees and subsidiary entities/working groups, in close coordination with the Chairs/Vice-Chairs; supports AdCom members in negotiating bi-annual recommendations to the UNRWA Commissioner-General.
Maintains contacts with AdCom members’ representatives in Geneva and in UNRWA areas of operations, ensuring transparent discussions and promoting consensus in support of UNRWA’s mandate and operations.
Manages staff supporting the Secretariat, ensuring high standard of work quality and communications.

Leading the support for UNRWA Senior Management’s Engagement with the Advisory Commission:

Provides advice to the Director of the Liaison Office and the Executive Office on the strategic direction of UNRWA’s engagement with the Advisory Commission and supports UNRWA leadership and senior management in preparing for their participation in AdCom, subcommittee and subsidiary entities’ meetings.
Ensures the Agency’s strategic issues are included for consideration in AdCom related meetings; oversees production of Agency’s documentation for the AdCom and its entities and coordinates follow-up and reporting on AdCom recommendations.

Supporting the Agency’s Engagement with UN Entities and Coordination mechanisms in Geneva:

In coordination and consultation with relevant Headquarters Departments and Field Offices, supports and advances strategic positioning of UNRWA within the UN ecosystem in Geneva on strategic and policy related humanitarian, development and human rights matters and establishes the Agency as a centre of expertise on key policy issues of relevance to its mandate.
Monitors key trends and developments in Geneva, ensuring the Agency’s alignment with UN system-wide initiatives and engages with relevant stakeholders including UN Agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Leads or coordinates UNRWA’s participation in policy discussions and inter-agency processes, and drafts, in close coordination with relevant Headquarters Departments and Field Offices, high-quality policy and other papers.

Supporting UNRWA’s Engagement with the broader ecosystem in Geneva:

Fosters political and financial support to the Agency through direct engagement with Member States’ Permanent Missions in Geneva, under the guidance of the Director of the Liaison Office and in coordination with the Executive Office, the External Relations and Communications Department and UNRWA Representative Offices;
Support planning, preparation and organisation of UNRWA official visits to Geneva; prepares high quality tailored documents, papers, and talking points for Geneva-based engagements.
- Collaborates with UNRWA’s Communication Division on strategic communication efforts in Geneva. Oversees administrative and financial matters related to the functioning of the Liaison Office in Geneva and deputises for the Director when required.

Competencies

UN Core Values of lntegrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Coping with Pressure and Setbacks Engaging and Nurturing Deciding and Initiating Action Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Analyzing Formulating Strategies and Concepts Persuading and Influencing

Education

An advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or a related field is required.

Work Experience

At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in political, international relations, law, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
At least five years of international experience in political outreach, analysis, advice and reporting while supporting or working closely with senior leadership and management functions is required.
Experience in or familiarity with field duty stations, especially in conflict or post-conflict environment is required.
Experience in coordination of interdisciplinary teams and, proven track of engagement with the UN ecosystem is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least 2 continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required.
Familiarity with the United Nations system and practices is desirable. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc.), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc.), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs., owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A "yes" answer doesn't necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. Working knowledge of written and spoken French is desired.